Vehicle seat, especially for aircraft

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, especially for aircraft, comprising a seat part ( 10 ) and a backrest ( 12 ) that can be displaced relative to each other by means of at least one adjustment device ( 14 ). The respective adjustment device ( 14 ) is provided with a plurality of articulation points ( 16 ) that are at least partially interconnected via a bar-type supporting frame ( 18 ) with individual bar elements ( 26, 30, 32, 36  and  40 ). Said supporting frame raises and supports the seat part ( 10 ) relative to the vehicle or cabin floor and eftects a displacement movement by means of an actuator device ( 20 ) in such a manner that the seat part ( 10 ) can be brought from an initial position (I) into at least one further position (II, III) and back. Depending on the number of articulation point and bar elements of the bar-type supporting frame the number of possible movements and thus the degree of freedom of movement of the seat part is substantially higher than in similar systems known in the art so that the seat part and the backrest can be safely positioned within a very wide range of adjustable positions.

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat, especially an aircraft passenger seat, with a seat component and a backrest which may be displaced relative to each other by way of at least one adjustment device, the respective adjustment device having a plurality of moving joints which are connected to each other at least partially by way of a bar-type supporting frame with individual bar parts which position the seat component upright relative to an aircraft or cabin deck, and which executes a traversing movement by means of an actuating device in such a way that the seat component may be moved from an initial position to at least one additional position and vice versa, the moving joints being mounted at least in part at the corner points of the bar-type supporting frame and at least one moving joint being provided in the area of the transition between backrest and seat component.

[0002] On very prolonged trips in particular, which long-range flights involve, but also in the case of travel by ship, for example, by ferry, it is a general aim of aircraft or ferry outfitters to increase the comfort of seat occupants and so of the passengers to be transported. Customers, especially in the first-class and business-class areas, have their own ideas regarding seat comfort. The trend is accordingly to also include the wishes of passengers who want to be able to use their travel time for meaningful rest or sleep, for example, in order to counteract fatigue phenomena at their destination after a long-range flight.

[0003] DE 675 982 C discloses a generic aircraft seat with a bar-type supporting frame resembling a so-called guide rod parallelogram. The guide rod parallelogram in question makes it possible to adjust a vertically adjustable aircraft pilot seat, which simultaneously is pivotable about an axis mounted transversely to the direction of flight and also permits longitudinal adjustment, also separately about the transverse axis in each vertical or longitudinal setting. For this purpose, in the case of the conventional solution an upper rigid bar part is connected by way of moving joints both to the seat component and to the backrest. Extending parallel to it is a lower rigid bar part of the conventional bar-type supporting frame from a seat rail longitudinal adjustment device to other bar parts to which the rear area of the backrest is engaged by moving joints. The lower rigid bar part is also connected to the indicated structural components by way of moving joints mounted on the lower bar on the end side. The conventional bar-type supporting frame increases the size of the pilot's seat, so that its use in the cabin area of an aircraft with cramped installation conditions appears not to be very reasonable. In addition, the bar-type supporting frame engages the movable seat components of the pilot's seat in such a way that adjustment options are provided only within a very narrow range and, for example, a sleeping or reclining position option is also precluded, an option which would in any event not be desirable for aircraft pilots. As a result of the specific structural embodiment the conventional bar-type supporting frame is also not capable of absorbing the forces introduced into the seat structure in the event of a crash. Consequently, failure of the structure might be expected in the event of a crash.

[0004] In contrast, subsequently published EP 1 074 468 A2 discloses a distinctly improved aircraft passenger seat which permits assumption of different positions, including reclining position and a sleeping position; in this position the upper sides of the backrest, seat component, and legrest form a more or less level reclining surface. In the case of this solution a longitudinally adjustable bar part, which may be telescoped to various positions to swivel the backrest by means of an actuating device, engages the lower third of the backrest.

[0005] In addition, with this solution the backrest may be mounted by way of a moving joint on the seat component in the area of transition between the moving joint and the seat component. The respective moving joint in the transitional area is in turn movable in a longitudinal guide which extends more or less horizontally and is made up of components of armrests of the aircraft passenger seat which, when mounted so as to be stationary, delimit on either side the longitudinal sides of the passenger seat which otherwise may be adjusted to various positions. If another actuating mechanism engages the front bar part which on the end side is hinged to the deck of the cabin and to the bottom of the seat component in its front area and accordingly the front bar part pivots, the seat may assume its individual positions and is forced along the armrests by way of the longitudinal guides referred to. Consequently, the solution disclosed in the European patent application does not make use of any bar-type supporting frame, but rather depends on forced guiding for the process of movement. As a result of the diagonal mounting of the rear, variable-length bar part, which engages the backrest in the lower third of the rear area, much structural space is in turn wasted, since it is necessary to secure the movable components by way of a separate cover so that the leg area of the next seat occupant to the rear will not be interfered with or even injured.

[0006] The object of the present invention is accordingly to further improve conventional seating systems to the end that they may meet the increased requirements set for the convenience and seating comfort of passenger and that the systems take up little structural space and meet the more stringent requirements set for crash safety. An object as formulated in these terms is attained by a vehicle passenger seat possessing the characteristics specified in patent claim 1 in its entirety.

[0007] In that, according to the characterizing part of claim 1, the respective moving joint is connected in this area of the transition both to one end of the upper bar part which extends along the seat component and also to the end of another rear bar part, in that the other end of the upper bar part is connected by way of another moving joint to another front bar part, in that the rear and the front bar parts position the seat component at least partly upright relative to the floor, and in that at least the front bar part or the rear bar part is longitudinally adjustable, the number of possible movements, and accordingly the degree of freedom relative to the conventional solutions is distinctly increased as a function of the number of moving joints and bar parts of the bar-type supporting frame introduced, so that the seat component and the backrest may be positioned over a very wide range of settings. In this situation the bar-type supporting frame with its rigid and longitudinally partly adjustable bar assumes exclusively the function of guide for the entire movement concept, so that additional forced guides inherently restricting adjustability may be abandoned in their entirety.

[0008] In addition, the seat kinematics claimed makes it possible to use the traversing movement of the seat component to at least one of the additional positions to lower the component relative to its initial position, the seat component then assuming an inclined position in order to bring about a reclining position for the seat occupant. In the process the backrest automatically follows the slope of the seat component as a result of the pivoting movement of the bar-type supporting frame in such a way that an overall reclining surface extending obliquely is achieved as a reclining position for the seat occupant. The otherwise conventional function of the vehicle or aircraft passenger seat is accordingly transformed into that of a full sleeping area for resting or sleeping. If in the process the legrest, guided by the bar-type supporting frame, automatically follows the movement of seat component and backrest, the obliquely extending reclining surface referred to is extended downward into the foot area so that the sleeping area described in the foregoing can thus be completed. Since the entire bar-type supporting frame is situated more or less below the seat component, the solution claimed for the invention conserves structural space and to this extent is particularly well suited under confined installation space conditions such as are present in aircraft or the like. Production of the bar-type supporting frame with its bar parts results, especially in the base position, in which the backrest is fully upright, in a compact structural unit which with its bar components ensures that if any crash forces are introduced into the seat they will be reliably absorbed and may be diverted into the vehicle floor or cabin deck without breaking off of parts of the bar-type supporting frame or even collapse of the seat components, which are kept apart by the fixed bar-type supporting frame.

[0009] Preferably it is furthermore provided that between the initial position and the reclining position at least one other comfort position can be adjusted in which the rear seat component surface is lowered relative to the front seat component surface. This is conducive to relaxed working, for example, and stress on the legs in the forward resting area with the seat component can be accordingly relieved by the raised position. The indicated adjustment processes can be effected in an economical manner with only a few components, so that a vehicle seat as claimed in the invention can be produced economically on the one hand and on the other is structurally light, the latter especially for use in aircraft playing a part in helping to avoid unnecessary weight.

[0010] The vehicle seat as claimed in the invention for its application need not be limited in use as an aircraft passenger seat, but can also be used aboard ships, for example in ferry operation, or in other modes of travel, such as trains or busses.

[0011] Preferably, the actuators used are driven pneumatically to produce the motion for the adjustment device, and optionally transient processes in the adjustment of the seat element to one another being cushioned by way of piston-cylinder units with pneumatic dampers. Furthermore, in one preferred embodiment of the vehicle seat as claimed in the invention the adjustment device at least with the seat component and backrest can be built as modular components which than can be joined to other seat component elements, such as the seat side parts, to armrests, or the like for subsequent seat use by way of a type of pallet delivery on site, for example in the aircraft. This also has the advantage that when the seating is changed, for example when the intended number of seats is increased on the same area, the luxury vehicle seats as claimed in the invention can be changed into conventional seats without an expanded reclined position. Furthermore, the seat component and backrest surface which is subject to greater wear can be cleaned or repaired elsewhere, and for example can be provided with a new covering material. The seat components which are otherwise less subject to wear or dirt and which are also called compartments in technical language can then remain in the respective vehicle, for example in the aircraft, and can be equipped there in very short time with a new or maintained adjustment device with the seat component and backrest.

[0012] The vehicle seat as claimed in the invention is detailed below using one embodiment with reference to an aircraft passenger seat. In outline and not drawn to scale

[0013]FIG. 1 presents part of aircraft passenger seating with the aircraft passenger seat shown in a seated representation, one in the reclining position, a standing and reclining seat occupant providing an idea about the size ratios and arrangement of the seating;

[0014]FIG. 2 presents a side view of the important parts of the seat kinematics and of the aircraft passenger seat itself;

[0015]FIG. 3 presents the aircraft passenger seat as shown in FIG. 2 in different positions.

[0016] The aircraft passenger seat as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is provided with a seat component 10 and a backrest 12. In the conventional manner which is not detailed here, both the seat component 10 and the backrest 12 have the corresponding upholstery and ergonomically advantageous seat contours. Both the seat component 10 and also the backrest 12 are held to be able to move relative to one another by way of an adjustment device identified as a whole as 14. The adjustment device 14 has several moving joints 16 which are joined to one another among one another by way of a bar-type supporting framework which is identified as a whole as 18, which also bears the seat component 10, and which executes a traversing movement, especially in the form of a swivelling movement, by means of an actuating device 20 such that the seat component 10 can be moved out of the initial position I as shown in FIG. 3 into two other positions II and III, and by reversing the direction of motion the original initial position I can be assumed again.

[0017] As shown especially by FIG. 2, there are four moving joints 16 on the four comer points 22 of the bar-type supporting framework 18, there being at least one moving joint 16 in the area of the transition 24 between the backrest 12 and the seat component 10. In the area of the transition 24 in question the indicated one moving joint 16 can engage a seat component fitting or the like or part thereof, which produces forced guidance in the desired adjustment motion between the seat component 10 and the backrest 12.

[0018] The bar-type supporting framework 18 has a bar part 26 which is adjustable in length and which interacts with an actuator 28 which, preferably in the form of a pneumatic-piston cylinder unit as seen in the line of sight to FIG. 2, extends running obliquely between the upper rigid bar part 30 and the underlying lower rigid bar part 32 within the bar-type supporting framework 18. The upper rigid bar part 30 fits into the seat component 10 and is peripherally padded by it in this way. By this extension over the seat component 10 however the moving joints 16 and the assignable bar-type supporting framework 18 are not hindered in their free, desired motion. The lower rigid bar part 32, like the upper rigid bar part 30, is not adjustable or variable in its length, the lower bar part 32 being used to position the aircraft passenger seat upright over the deck area by way of a conventional seat rail 34 which is connected to parts of the aircraft deck. In an extension of the upper bar part 30 on its front end there is another moving joint 16 as the coupling point 35 to the seat component 10.

[0019] The bar-type supporting framework 18 has another back bar part 36 which can be adjusted in length and which interacts with the equalization part 38 which the actuator 28 with its actuating part in the form of the bar part 26 engages by means of another moving joint 16. The opposing end of the indicated actuator 28 in turn is connected to the front moving joint 16 of the lower rigid bar part 32. The latter moving joint 16 of the lower bar part 32 is in turn hinged to the assigned, underlying moving joint 16 of the upper bar part 30 by means of another rigid front bar part 40. The coupling to the upper rigid bar part 30 of this nature takes place by way of the moving joint 16 which keeps the front upper corner point 22 of the bar-type supporting framework 18 occupied. The equalization part 38, like the actuator 28, also represents a piston-cylinder unit which however this time has a pneumatic damping device and thus counteracts unwanted vibration motions when the seat is being adjusted by way of the bar-type supporting framework 18. Damping devices and piston-cylinder units of this nature in the prior art are known as adjustment means in the domain of vehicle seats as well so that they will not be detailed here.

[0020] The indicated bar-type supporting framework 18 as a whole, like the adjustment device identified as a whole as 14, can easily engage the vehicle seat elements. But especially in a successive arrangement in the planes of the drawings in front and behind as shown in FIG. 2 the described arrangement can be congruently present two or more times, for example in the areas of the two lengthwise edges of the seat there can be one bar-type supporting framework 18 (not detailed) at a time which then can be actuated from a central location by an actuator 28 by bracing the moving joints 16 located in succession in a line with crossbars. The latter is also advantageous inasmuch as the bar-type supporting framework 18 also continues in the cross direction, therefore viewed transversely to the seat surface, and in this way contributes to the bracing of the seat structure. The indicated bar parts of the bar-type supporting framework 18 moreover need not be bar-like or tube-like, but for example can consist of geometrically shaped supports, for example of an aluminum diecasting material or the like.

[0021] In the initial position I of the aircraft passenger seat, as shown in FIG. 2, the bar-type supporting framework 18 is made in the manner of a trapezoid, its two base lines which run parallel to one another being formed from the upper rigid bar part 30 and the lower rigid bar part 32. The two legs of the trapezoid which are not parallel to one another are in turn formed by the bar parts 40 and 36 with the equalization part 38. For the engagement of the actuator 28 by way of its telescoping bar part 26 to the housing of the equalization part 38 a bar-like triangular receiver 42 is used and on its free end it is provided with the moving joint 16 for a transition to the bar part 26. In the initial position I the back bar part 36 with its equalization part 38 toward the seat rail 34 or toward the mounting deck of the aircraft includes an angle of 90°. Conversely, the included angle between the bar part 26 with the actuator 28 and the seat rail 34 or the deck is roughly 30° horizontally.

[0022] If preferably the seat occupant triggers the actuator 28 by way of an actuation device which is not detailed for the seat adjustment process, the pneumatics provides for the bar part 26 to be pulled into the actuator 28 with the result that the bar parts 40 and 36 with the equalization part 38 swivel counterclockwise around the lower moving joints 16 in the transition area of the bar-type supporting framework 18 to the seat rail 34 and in doing so by way of the upper bar part 30 entrain the seat component 10, as seen in the line of sight to FIG. 3, forward and down until comfort position II is reached for example. In this comfort position II the rear seat component surface, as shown, is lowered relative to the front seat component surface and by way of the seat component fittings which are not detailed the rear upper moving joint 16 on the corner point 22 of the bar-type supporting framework 18 entrains the backrest 12 such that it passes into the tilted position as shown in FIG. 3. For the displacement motion of this type the back bar part 36 is extended preferably damped out of the equalization part 38 over a defmable distance. Furthermore, in the pertinent traversing motion the equalization part 38 swivels counterclockwise around the bottom moving joint 16 and the actuator 28 swivels clockwise around its lower moving joint 22 by a given distance.

[0023] If the traversing process is continued, the seat component 10 in the reclining position III assumes a tilted position, the backrest 12 following the tilt of the seat component 10 by way of the already indicated guidance due to the swivelling motion of the bar-type supporting framework 18 such that overall an obliquely running reclining surface 44 (compare also FIG. 1) for the seat occupant is reached, the reclining surface 44 in question relative to the floor surface on which the seat is located including an angle of approximately 15°, to the extent that the reclining surface in question is extended in the direction of the floor either by way of the legrest 46 or virtually downward. The legrest 46 itself, likewise guided in turn for example by way of the corresponding fitting parts which are not shown, can follow the motion of the seat component 10 and the backrest 12 in order to obtain an obliquely running reclining surface 44. In doing so the legrest 46 towards the bottom end can have a calf rest 48 and the backrest 12 preferably has integrated a headrest 50 for accommodating and supporting the head of the seat occupant in the reclining or sleeping position III, as is indicated in FIG. 1.

[0024] The different positions I, II, and III can be reversibly assumed by way of the indicated seat kinematics with the bar-type supporting framework 18 and adjustment device 14 with a drive motor 28 or a trimming motor in the form of the equalization part 38. In doing so, application is made essentially of a four-bar mechanism as the bar-type supporting framework 18, which can be implemented especially economically and still allows force to be diverted into the base frame of the seat, for example in the case of a crash or the like. Instead of the indicated pneumatic components 28 and 38 the motor and trim function can be attained also by way of other drive means, for example in the form of electric motors and spindle drives.

[0025] On the basis of the indicated lowering of the seat level into the sleeping or reclining position III, in the area of the seat component 10 which is tilted obliquely down, a low climb-over height is made possible so that for another seat occupant in a row of seats it is easily possible if necessary to climb over the individual reclining in the row without disturbing him. The kinematics by way of the trapezoid supporting framework 18 is designed such that with only minor adjustment motions on the four-bar mechanism the vehicle seat can be changed with its adjustments within a very wide range of variation, and the respective adjustment due to the short swivelling and traversing motions completed can be quickly accomplished. By simply swivelling back and forth, especially of the bar parts 40 and 36, an extensive adjustment range can be accomplished in both directions.

[0026] It is furthermore especially advantageous for the adjustment device 14 together with the seat component 10, the backrest 12 and the legrest 46 to form a modular component which can be detachably connected on site to other seat components such as the side seat components 52 (compare FIG. 1) for seat use. It is therefore possible to leave the side seat components 52 in the manner of a compartment in the aircraft and to replace only the function unit which ensures positions I to III, for example, for maintenance purposes. The-indicated compartment can thus perform multiple functions in cases of side seat components 52 and can further be made such that a self-contained area (not shown) for the seat occupant is ensured which allows a large amount of privacy, its being quite possible to add a bar area, a washing facility, or the like to the compartment. Furthermore, equipment, such as a computer or special connections for notebooks, help to create a workplace with the facility for reclining and sleeping within the pertinent self-contained area. In particular passengers on long trips are helped in this way and fatigue can thus be effectively alleviated. 

1. A vehicle seat, especially an aircraft passenger seat, with a seat component (10) and a backrest (12) which may be displaced relative to each other by way of at least one adjustment device (14), the respective adjustment device (14) having several moving joints (16) which are connected to one another at least partially by way of a bar-type supporting framework (18) with individual bar parts (26, 30, 32, 36, and 40), which positions the seat component (10) upright relative to the vehicle floor or cabin deck, and which by means of an actuation device (20) executes a traversing movement such that the seat component (10) can be moved out of an initial position (I) into at least one other position (II, III) and vice versa, the moving joints (16) being. located at least in part on the comer points (22) of the bar-type supporting framework (18) and there being at least one moving joint (16) in the area of the transition (24) between the backrest (12) and the seat component (10), characterized in that the respective moving joint (16) in this area of the transition (24) is connected both to one end of the upper bar part (30) which runs lengthwise along the seat component (10) and also to the end of another back bar part (36), that the other end of the upper bar part (30) is connected by way of another moving joint (16) to another front bar part (40), that the back and front bar part (36, 40) at least partially position the seat component (10) upright relative to the floor and that at least the front bar part (40) or the back bar part (36) is adjustable in length.
 2. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bar-type supporting framework (18) has at least one other bar part (26) which is adjustable in length and which interacts with an actuator (28) which is located between the upper rigid bar part (30) in the area of the seat component (10) and an underlying lower rigid bar part (32) within the bar-type supporting framework (18).
 3. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the back bar part (36) which is adjustable in length has a equalization part (38) which the actuator (28) with its actuation element engages by means of another moving joint (16) and wherein the opposing end of the actuator (28) is connected to the moving joint (16) of the lower bar part (32) which is connected to the assigned moving joint (16) of the upper bar part (30) by means of the front rigid bar part (40).
 4. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3, wherein the equalization part (38) and the actuator (28) consist of a piston-cylinder unit, wherein the equalization part (38) is preferably provided with a damping device and wherein the actuator (28) can be pneumatically triggered.
 5. The vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bar-type supporting framework (18) is located at least in the initial position (I) in the manner of a trapezoid and wherein its two base lines consist of rigid bar parts (30, 32).
 6. The vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the traversing motion of the seat component (10) into at least one of the other positions (II, III) leads to lowering thereof relative to its initial position (I) and wherein in doing so the seat component (10) assumes a tilted position for effecting the reclining position (III) for the seat occupant.
 7. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 6, wherein the backrest (12) follows the tilt of the seat component (10) by way of forced guidance due to the swivelling motion of the bar-type supporting framework (18) such that an obliquely running reclining surface (44) as the reclining position for the seat occupant is reached.
 8. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein a legrest (46), likewise guided, follows the motion of the seat component (10) and the backrest (12) and extends the obliquely running reclining surface (44) downward.
 9. The vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 6 to 8, wherein between the initial position (I) and the reclining position (III) at least one other comfort position (II) can be adjusted, in which the rear seat component surface is lowered relative to the front seat component surface.
 10. The vehicle seat as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adjustment device (14) can be connectable at least to the seat component (10) and backrest (12) built as modular components to be interchangeable with other seat components, such as side seat components (52), on site for seat use. 